Captain McCaw never forgets the time England actually BEAT the All Blacks...

Richie McCaw is always a man to fear. On Saturday at Twickenham, he will have more reason than usual to terrorise England.

The New Zealand captain plays his 116th international before taking a six-month sabbatical and will want to sign off with a performance to remember.

He will be aiming for 80 minutes of devastating rugby that lets the All Blacks know what they will be missing.

Modest: Richie McCaw has every reason to perform to his devastating best against England

Rolling on: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen drives a cart into Twickenham on Friday

McCaw is too modest to talk about his own impact on the rugby field but he did deliver the ominous message that he is feeling fresh, fit and strong.

The flanker has a long memory and recalls the last time the All Blacks lost to England, in 2003, very clearly.

'There's always a bit of atmosphere around and there's history, too,' he said.

'The first time I played England in 2003, we got knocked over. Then they won the World Cup and since then it meant they were the team to beat.'

The All Blacks' efforts should not be hindered by illness. McCaw reported a clean bill of health for a team hit by a stomach bug earlier this week: 'It might have been interesting if it had been Friday night, not Tuesday night.

'We're lucky it wasn't. It would have knocked the stuffing out of a few guys. Hopefully, it won't take too much out of us.'

There are two secrets to McCaw's decade of dominance as an openside flanker - invisibility and supreme physicality.

He has forever pushed the boundaries of the law at the breakdown, yet has by and large escaped punishment from referees.

His uncanny knack of getting away with it, of pushing gamesmanship to the limit around the ruck, has made him almost unstoppable as the best turnover merchant in the history of the professional game.

Eyes on the ball: Dan Carter hones his kicking skills on Friday

Fit for purpose: Captain McCaw was in training on Thursday

The second factor is his fitness. The All Blacks do crucifying fitness drills, then McCaw stays behind for extra work.

At the World Cup he was playing with metal pins rattling in a broken foot. His performances during New Zealand's triumphant campaign prompted commentators to say he was a better player on one leg than most players are on two.

At 6ft 1½in he is not the biggest, yet there is an aura of you-shall-not-pass about him.

McCaw, helped by a foot operation to heal three broken bones, has pieced himself back together so successfully that he has played a full part in one of the All Blacks' most glorious years, which reaches its finale today.

His goal is to return in the middle of next year refreshed in an attempt to lead the All Blacks in the defence of the World Cup in 2015.

'We are going to give it a good go,' said the 31-year-old modestly about continuing a career that has already made him the most capped New Zealand player.

'But there's a bit of water to f low under the bridge and there are a few coaches who may have a say in the matter. If it doesn't happen, there's nothing lost in trying.'

Another challenge: McCaw's team-mates Ma'a Nonu (left) and Piri Weepu (right) took part in some wheelchair rugby

Like a duck to water: Nonu seemed to be enjoying the variation of his sport

McCaw recognises that he has no right to a return. Coach Steve Hansen has made it clear that likely replacement Sam Cane would make sure he would have to be at his best to reclaim his jersey next year.

McCaw's push for perfection has led to him putting on weight this year in an effort to keep up with changing trends in the professional world.

'I was a bit worried if the extra size would affect me but - especially in loose forwards - the game has gone in the direction of guys who can bring something physically.'

MEANWHILE... ENGLAND'S WOMEN SEEKING ALL BLACKS SCALP

England women's captain Katy McLean, sporting a shiner, hopes to lead her team to a first 3-0 Test whitewash over the All Blacks tonight at Twickenham following the men's Test.

England have won 16-13 and 17-8, but last year also took a 2-0 series lead only to draw the final game. Head coach Gary Street warned: 'The target is to take a 3-0 series win and I am confident we can do that.'

McCaw has also been working on his
ball-carrying skills. His winning desire remains ferocious to the extent
that he is not taking anything for granted today against Chris
Robshaw's England team.

He
was not prepared to criticise Robshaw for the controversy at the end of
last week's South Africa Test when the England captain's decision-
making was questioned by Owen Farrell.

What would McCaw, who has made those calls in 78 games, have done if a New Zealand player had questioned his authority?

'Well, you mean one of the boys? I run the philosophy that I am more than happy for the guys to speak up, but there comes a time when someone has to make a decision and once it's made you buy into it.'

And on his personal contribution to a great team, he added: 'I look back on this year and feel I've been reasonably consistent.

'There are parts you keep working on but if I look back I'm pretty satisfied.'